“It’s fake, remember?”Callie says, drawing a tidal wave rolling up Tim’s shoulder blade.As predicted, they’ve been inseparable since our first night in Nashville.The marker runs under his arm, and he laughs, moving under her hand.
“Uh-uh,” she tsks.“Hold still.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he responds dutifully.
One thing Levi was right about was Tim.As much as I didn’t want this to happen, he’s pretty great.He treats my sister like a queen.When she first suggested he come on tour with us, I was wary.I mean, the bus isn’t that big, and the way it’s set up is essentially four bunks parallel to each other down a narrow hallway.A little close for comfort, but honestly, it’s been great.Callie finishes, leaning back and flipping her head from side to side.“Perfect.”
“I know it’s fake...”I say, taking a seat on the bench across from them, hugging a throw pillow to me.“It just doesn’t feel great.”
Tim stands, tugging his shirt back over his chest.“If it makes you feel better, Tate, every time I talk to him, he somehow works you into conversation.”
I give him a look of disbelief.“What do you mean?And when’s the last time you talked to him?Does...”I break for a breath.“Does he know you’re on tour with me?”
He laughs in his easy way I’ve come to love.“He’s my boss.I talk to him at least once a day.”
Duh, right.Sometimes I forget the origin of Tim.How he was Levi’s first.Not that it matters.And somehow, I know that given the choice, Tim would choose Callie over anyone.Not that he would ever have to choose.
“And to answer your other question, he does know I’m here.I had to schedule other guys to take my houses while we’re gone.Didn’t want him to find out from someone else.”
I’m nodding while ignoring the urge to ask for more.More info.How’s he doing?Did he say why he left?But it turns out I don’t need to ask because Tim picks up what I’m not saying.
Tim flips his ball cap backwards.“He asks things like how you are, if you ask about him, and if I think you hate him.Hey, what happened with you guys anyways?When he was with you, it was the happiest I’d seen him in a long time.”Callie slaps Tim’s arm, shaking her head so he’ll stop.
“It’s fine, Cal.Um, you know, we were good until it got deep.The same thing that happened when we were at the house in a different costume.He asked what I thought about God and didn’t like my answer.”
His mouth hangs open in a silent oh.
“What?What’s that look?”
Tim looks down at the floor.Callie looks between us before shaking him.“Out with it!”she finally says.
“Look, it’s not my place to share and it’s not something Levi talks about...”He pauses, and it feels like four lifetimes.
“Tim!”Callie and I shout in unison.
“Fine.His dad was a pastor at our church, and in high school he up and left Levi and his mom for another woman.I’ve tried to talk to him about it, but he’s pretty closed off to the conversation.I wish he could separate his dad’s actions from the church, but yeah...he can’t, and that’s why.”
Callie looks at me, eyes softening.
“Not what I expected...”
“Yeah, I know.Levi comes off hard.People would be surprised to know he first sang in the church choir.He even got offered a record deal when he was a kid.His mom ended up saying no because she wanted him to have a normal childhood.He probably still hasn’t forgiven her and now she’s engaged to another guy.”
“What?”
“Levi didn’t tell you?”
“No.Apparently he doesn’t tell me much at all,” I clap back, and I instantly regret it.“Sorry, you didn’t deserve that.Just a lot to process.”
He nods.“Levi was ambushed with their relationship the second he walked into the house.”
“Wait, like he had no idea?”Callie asks.
“Nope.His ma said she didn’t want to upset him or something.”
“I feel like it’s more upsetting the way she did it,” I mumble.
Tim lifts a shoulder.“Levi’s hard to talk to, as you know.She’s a really nice lady though.You would like her.”
